The defence acquisition council recently cleared a major defence modernisation push worth over ₹2.38 lakh crore.
The defence ministry, in a release, said for the Indian Air Force, proposals were cleared for the procurement of medium transport aircraft, the S-400 long-range surface-to-air missile system, remotely piloted strike aircraft (RPSA), and the overhaul of Su-30 aero engine aggregates.
According to a report in The Economic Times, the RPSA proposal is worth over ₹39,000 crore and centres on the Ghatak UCAV.
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Ghatak is an indigenous, jet-powered, low-observable drone developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for deep strike missions.
The report said the DRDO will adopt the development-cum-production partner (DCPP) model for producing RPSA and will invite bids for the prototypes. After the development of prototypes, an order will be placed for over 60 unmanned stealth fighters.
The government clearing the order for RPSA is also a boost for India's indigenous jet engine project, the Kaveri engine, which is expected to power the strike aircraft. An order for over 60 unmanned stealth fighters would give the Kaveri programme a long-awaited second life.
The Kaveri engine had failed to meet the thrust and reliability requirements needed for a fighter jet like the HAL Tejas as it had struggled with lower-than-required thrust output, excess weight, and inconsistent performance, especially at high altitudes.
An afterburner boosts thrust in fighter jets by injecting extra fuel. Platforms like the RPSA do not need extreme thrust as they are not meant for dogfighting. A “dry” Kaveri engine, without an afterburner, is suitable for subsonic operations and offers longer endurance and a lower infrared signature, enhancing stealth, and is expected to power the platform.
Last year, a report by news agency ANI had said the DRDO is carrying out trials of the Kaveri jet engine in Russia and that a plan was in place to use the engines for the indigenous UCAV project.
Earlier this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru and witnessed the full afterburner engine test of the Kaveri engine, which was initially developed to power the HAL Tejas.